At the ‘Angry Young Men’ trailer launch, Bollywood’s iconic screenwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, widely known as Salim-Javed, took the spotlight, flanked by industry stalwarts. The event was graced by the presence of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who delivered poignant remarks about what defines true masculinity in today’s generation.
Salman Khan was joined by noted filmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, adding even more star power to the grand unveiling. As Khan took the stage, he paid tribute to the legendary writing duo of Salim-Javed, highlighting their significant contributions to Indian cinema and their lasting influence on him and many others.
Khan began his address by contrasting the work of contemporary screenwriters with that of Salim-Javed. “I have worked with a lot of writers, and so has Farhan (Akhtar). Many writers today write, but Salim Javed fought. They infused their life experiences, societal observations, and lessons from their upbringing into their scripts. They put real life into cinema,” Salman emphasized. He elaborated on how the current generation of writers often draws inspiration from existing films instead of real-life experiences, leading to a lack of originality.
Turning his attention to the changing notions of masculinity, Salman Khan lamented, “God makes men, but they don’t want to be men anymore. He makes a lot of men. But this generation, they don’t want to be men. These two, my father and Javed Sahab, they are men, they are still men because they want to be men.” His poignant words resonated with the audience, drawing attention to a perceived generational shift in values and ideals.
Salman Khan’s reflections extended to the ‘brat’ label often attached to Salim-Javed. In a scene from the trailer, Jaya Bachchan remarks on Salim-Javed being called “brats,” a term that seemed to amuse Khan.
. He explained the origins of this label, saying, “This brat thing is two people writing hit after hit, and now they have to refuse a lot of producers and actors. It comes from there – ‘What do these people think of themselves?’ Their minds weren’t corrupted; their minds were running brilliantly. But those who couldn’t work with them, due to dates, plot choices, dislikes of faces, or characters, called them brats. Those who labeled them had the wrong mindset, not Salim-Javed.”
The remarks were particularly poignant, considering the monumental legacy of Salim-Javed. ‘Angry Young Men,’ set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video on August 20, delves deep into this legacy. The documentary aims to immerse viewers in the golden age of Bollywood, showcasing Salim-Javed’s timeless contributions through rare archival footage and firsthand accounts.
The film highlights their journey from humble beginnings to becoming the first screenwriters to achieve celebrity status in Bollywood. It features personal anecdotes, rare footage, and interviews with industry giants, creating a vivid tapestry of their remarkable careers. Iconic movies such as Deewar, Don, Sholay, Trishul, and Dostana, which bear the creative stamp of Salim-Javed, are prominently spotlighted, celebrating their lasting impact on the Indian film industry.
The documentary doesn’t just focus on their professional achievements but also offers a nostalgic glimpse into the duo’s personal relationships, camaraderie, and the creative brilliance that defined their collaboration across 24 films. Emotions run high as industry titans like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Helen, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan reflect on how Salim-Javed’s work influenced their own careers and the broader Bollywood landscape.
The trailer launch concluded with a palpable sense of nostalgia and reverence. Salman Khan’s tribute not only highlighted the importance of Salim-Javed’s contributions but also posed a thought-provoking reflection on the evolving ideals of masculinity and creativity in contemporary times.
As ‘Angry Young Men’ readies for its premiere, it promises to be a significant cinematic event, providing an invaluable look at the minds and hearts behind some of Bollywood’s most enduring films. This documentary stands as both a tribute to a bygone era and a call to introspect on the values and ideals that define us today.
